Mr T Percival (branch manager) presented a report on the unemployment position, in which it was stated that a marked improvement had taken place since Christmas so far as local unemployment was concerned, and the register had been reduced by 60 during January. There were, however, at the present time 238 men, one boy, 25 women, and one girl registered as unemployed in the district, and 80 per cent of these applicants were working people whose normal employment was in the boot and shoe industry.

Mr Bland (Amalgamated Society of Leather Workers) inquired whether it would be possible for some of the women to be absorbed as “learners” in the boot and shoe industry.

Mr Percival stated that it was anticipated that the majority of the women would return at an early date to their previous employment (tailoring and cardboard box making) as trade revived. In several instances local manufacturers had engaged women as learners with satisfactory results, and this course was being pursued in all cases where practicable.

General discussion took place on matters connected with the administration of the Unemployment Insurance Act.

Unemployment amongst boot operatives in the Rushden and Higham Ferrers district has been in the last week or two shown a decrease, though the figures still remain rather high. The number of operatives receiving Trade Union unemployment pay are as follow: Rushden 96; Irthlingborough 24; Bozeat 3; Irchester 15; Finedon 15; Ringstead 11; Raunds 15, Stanwick 6; Wollaston 5; (total 220). The greatest improvement is at Ringstead, where one of the factories has re-opened after a temporary closure caused by bad trade.